Alaska Airlines from Great Falls to McGhee Tyson Airport

Strap on your boots, my dear troglodyte of an air traveler, for we are about to embark on the ludicrously exciting odyssey of mapping your upcoming jaunt from the "Treasure State" to the "Volunteer State". More specifically, we're plotting your leap over the great blue yonder from the grandeur of Great Falls to the glory of McGhee Tyson Airport. Thus, buckle up (not only for safety so says FAA, but for the ensuing wave of belly laughs too).

First, a word about our noble steed, no other than Alaska Airlines. Now, you might say, "How do I know they're any good? Have they got five stars on PerrysAirlineReviews.com? Do their flights show up on time? Or am I going to end up stranded on a layover in Walla Walla due to a spontaneous game of musical aircraft?"

Fear not. They've got a track record smoother than a sea otter's belly. Besides, let me toss you this little nugget of Alaskan trivia: did you know that the state sport of Alaska is dog mushing? It's true! And just like a well-trained team of sled dogs, Alaska Airlines delivers consistent, reliable service – with significantly less slobber. They might not offer the quaint in-flight services of an enthusiastic furry race, but I assure you, their inflight services are top-notch in human standards.

So why should you shell out for a round-trip airfare on this aviation extravaganza? For one, the trip offers non-stop flutters of giddy anticipation paired with the harrowing thrill of consuming pre-packaged meals at 35,000 feet. Pack right and within the generous baggage allowance, and you might even have space for some comfort food. Though the in-flight gourmet meal has some sass and zing to it, not to mention being surprisingly delectable.

On a serious note, let's paw at the momentous affair of selecting your flight. You might be ogling one-way deals, round-trip savers, the dreaded red-eye flight or possibly lusting after last-minute flights. Well, fret not, I have wisdom to share. The best time to book your flight is akin to catching a ferret with your bare hands. It's slippery, it's cunning, it stings like defeat when not caught but oh the sublime joy when captured. I digress, just try to lock down a deal about 2 months ahead, avoiding heavy travel days, and of course, make your booking on a Tuesday. It is, after all, the ferret of the weekly calendar.

Regardless of your inclination towards economy class, business class or if you’re the crème de la crème flying first-class, drape yourself in comfort and amenities of your choice. I recommend behaving like you're in a mall rather than in a budget meeting while making this selection.

Rising with the larks for those direct flights does have the benefit of getting you to your destination sooner. But one must ponder the existential question, is life simply about reaching a destination? Isn't it taunting the roads lesser travelled once in a while worth it? In other words, does a connecting flight via the obscure realm of O’Hare sounds tempting enough for the adventurer in you?

Should you find yourself in the seat 32B, knee-deep in flight duration, twiddling with in-flight Wi-Fi and holding banter with a fellow stranger, remember, this isn't simply a flight, it's an expedition, a spectacle, an adventure, or a comedy of errors, depending on the mood of the air turbulence. But oh the stories you’ll have to tell.

Adieu for now, my fellow jester jet setter. Go now, armed with these pearls of wisdom, and conquer the world – or, at least that flight to McGhee Tyson Airport.